Growing Pains…

C

Chromedomey

New member
Hi Forum! Quick post to say hi. Looking to get ideas from the hive mind here. Currently have a T5 camper but feel we have outgrown it now and fancy a change, although I think the benefit of standing height at all times is the biggest seller for us!

Hope we can get thoughts and pointers on the best crafter model to look for and layout ideas for 4 fixed beds a double and two singles, toilet/shower room and space to slide 4 bikes in for security.

Have I already run outta room?!🤣

Thanks in advance.
Jim
 
Perfect Chris! That’s just the kind of thing I needed to hear to help with my advanced level man maths when explaining to senior management. 🤣👍

What spec/model did you go for if I can ask?
 
rod_vw said:
@Chromedomey be aware that these Crafters / TGEs can be money pits! You can fit so many more luxuries into them compared to a T6 it's easy to get carried away! Here is ours as it was delivered (and converted) and I'm still playing with changes and extras. It's a LWB TGE and was purchased new by us to be converted to our spec.
https://www.facebook.com/BuckettzDubz/posts/pfbid02tbptzHZG56eECdwC9MhHWundyjUB2x6vncfyXg3yF8TLwQbaEKStJ7YLkMDK5pe6l
Click to expand...
Hi Rod. Looks ace! Is that crafter twin fitted to the rear?
 
Chromedomey said:
Hi Rod. Looks ace! Is that crafter twin fitted to the rear?
Click to expand...
Yes, I managed to get an almost new TGE seat with all but the outer seat belt and buckle fitting, it's the version without the fold down back rest. As it had seat belt warning already fitted I wired that in in parallel to the passengers front seat. My converter modified the seat to take two belts in the centre and I ordered the belt fitting for the side of the seat from MAN.

My Truma 4e heater / boiler is fitted under the seat, it needed a bit of modification to the front of the seat frame but fits and works well.
 
One for the hive mind here as I’m back on the search. My questions are Startline or Trendline? Can it be more cost effective to get a good Startline and retro fit or is that open to VW tax and not a route to go down? Next question is around the front seats, if you have the triple with middle fold up front do you prefer it? Anyone changed to singles and regretted it? Or vice versa? Can standard singles have arm rests fitted? Seems to be several vans around with singles at mo. I’m undecided as is it a ball ache to get in the back with the extra seat folded? Thanks in advance for any input. 👍
 
Chromedomey said:
One for the hive mind here as I’m back on the search. My questions are Startline or Trendline? Can it be more cost effective to get a good Startline and retro fit or is that open to VW tax and not a route to go down? Next question is around the front seats, if you have the triple with middle fold up front do you prefer it? Anyone changed to singles and regretted it? Or vice versa? Can standard singles have arm rests fitted? Seems to be several vans around with singles at mo. I’m undecided as is it a ball ache to get in the back with the extra seat folded? Thanks in advance for any input. 👍
Click to expand...
Are you in the market for a new van or a used one? I see that you are in the Midlands, if it's a new one you may like to speak to Andy James-Buckett at Buckettz Dubz who converted mine as he has contacts.
Re the single front seats, if you are specifying a new van and want swivels then it's a better deal to go for factory swivels but you will probably have a longish wait for a special production vehicle.
Modern options are 'Commerce' and 'Commerce Plus' I think for 'off the shelf' vans I think. If you want to look at mine and/or talk to Andy at the same time you are welcome but not until I return from France late in this month.
 
Yeah Mids based and looking to the secondhand market for sure. Really appreciate your time taken to respond and your kind offer to take nosey over the van! 🙏 Cheers Rod!
 
Chromedomey said:
Yeah Mids based and looking to the secondhand market for sure. Really appreciate your time taken to respond and your kind offer to take nosey over the van! 🙏 Cheers Rod!
Click to expand...
You can't use PM on this forum (@Pauly please can we get this enabled) but you can email me via [email protected] if you wish. Or if you re a member of the T6 Forum you can PM me using my same forum name.

PS that's ours at entry #4 of this thread.
 
Chromedomey said:
One for the hive mind here as I’m back on the search. My questions are Startline or Trendline? Can it be more cost effective to get a good Startline and retro fit or is that open to VW tax and not a route to go down? Next question is around the front seats, if you have the triple with middle fold up front do you prefer it? Anyone changed to singles and regretted it? Or vice versa? Can standard singles have arm rests fitted? Seems to be several vans around with singles at mo. I’m undecided as is it a ball ache to get in the back with the extra seat folded? Thanks in advance for any input. 👍
Click to expand...
I went with trendline and happy with the spec-all I really wanted was aircon as a minimum but I think if the right van had come up without I’d have probably gone for it without-the thing when buying 2nd hand is a lot of these little details are out of your control unless you’ve got a super healthy budget and a lot of time to wait for the right one, sometimes you have to compromise slightly

I’ve got the folding seat up front, and I also picked up a 2nd folding double to fit in rear but my plans for that have now changed, eventually I will get a single up front, it’s a much more comfortable feel with 2 singles-you are right it’s a pain to get into back with the front double folding
 
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